Spring 2015
Greetings from Hoffmann Hall!
During this past academic year the Division of Business and Economics undertook two new initiatives. The first is described in
our lead story. Students from across campus benefited from the investing acumen of our finance majors by being awarded a
portion of the proceeds gained though the Loras Investment Fund for the Endowment (LIFE) portfolio class. The second
initiative was the creation of faculty-led discussion groups. These groups provided students an opportunity to consider the
impact that Catholic Social Teaching can have on their lives. Through the generosity of a benefactor, this semester’s CST
initiative will bring two noted scholars to campus: Dr. Andrew Abela of Catholic University, and Dr. Patrick Murphy, from the
University of Notre Dame.
I believe you will find this issue of our newsletter very informative—filled with news of exciting activities and meaningful student
accomplishments. As always, I entreat you to join our LinkedIn member group. It is a great way to stay connected to your
school and its alumni. Be More. Be Loras.
--Dr. Doug Gambralll, Ed.D.
Chair, Division of Business and Economics
LIFE Portfolio Course Moves Beyond Class Experience
to Support Student Endeavors
attempt to care for the planet beyond the regulatory
requirements.”
The Loras Investment Fund for the Endowment (LIFE) portfolio
investment course was created in 1998 by Professors Joe
Bernardi and John Upstrom. It began with donations from
friends and alumni of Loras College, including alumni Emmet
DeLay (’54) and Rich Schlegel (’54). It is a hands-on class where
students manage a portion of the Loras College endowment,
with a mission to allow students to explore the social and ethical
implications of investing and evaluate and monitor performance
against widely followed benchmarks through the use of a multidisciplined approach.
Recently, the class has evolved into a means for benefitting Loras
College students across campus.
or indirectly focused in petroleum extraction with little to no
Unexpended funds will continue to go back into the Loras
College endowment.
When planning for the 2014-15 budget year, discussions
between the Division of Business and Economics and
Administration led to the decision to use the profits gained
through the LIFE portfolio class to benefit the students in the
class, as well as students across campus, to help offset costs to
participate in professional conferences and competitions.
Individuals and organizations who apply for funding must
describe in their submission the competition or conference,
Students in the course select, research, analyze, and evaluate
explain the nature of the event, and include a narrative of why
stock ideas using a disciplined investment model, and the class as the organization or individual should be considered for this
a whole votes on whether to buy, sell, or hold. They experience award.
the consequences of sub-par research as well as the reward of
The committee reviews the required materials and make awards
well-researched, well-chosen stocks first-hand with investment
based on merit, number of requests, and size of the draw.
results.
Disbursements from the LIFE Portfolio fund over the past
Eric Eller, Ph.D., associate professor of finance, explained, “We
academic year included support for students attending state,
have worked this year to develop an investment strategy and
regional, national, and even international conferences and
screen that incorporates Loras College and Catholic Social
competitions. Funds were awarded to cover the cost of mileage
Teaching values into the investment decision process. The
students made the decision to divest from three different stocks to venues in St. Paul, Chicago, and Omaha, as well as some help
with conference registrations and other travel. Students involved
in the fall—one because it was a Chinese search engine where
with sport management, teacher education, psychology, finance,
the Chinese government was interfering with free speech/
expression and the other two because they were either directly athletic training, and neuroscience benefitted from the fund.
Spring 2015
Loras College Business Week 2015 May 3-7
Sponsored by Dennis (’72) and Mona Houlihan
The sixth annual Business Week, sponsored by Dennis (’72) and Mona Houlihan, will feature evening alumni panels with recent
business graduates discussing their professional work experiences and the value of a liberal arts education, as well as
presentations throughout the week from alumni and community leaders. We invite you to attend any of the presentations. For
more information, contact Ron Collins (563) 588-7281.
Business Week Schedule
Sunday, May 3
6:30-8:00pm - Ballroom A
Speaker: Patrick Murphy, Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, “The
Importance of Catholic Social Thought in Business”
Monday, May 4
6 -7:30 p.m.


Tuesday, May 5
3-4:30 p.m. - Ballroom A
6-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 6
3-4:30 p.m. - Ballroom A
6-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 7
6-7:00 p.m. - Ballrooms A&B
Finance Alumni Panel- Ballroom A
Marketing Alumni Panel- Arizona Room
Speaker: Christine (Steffen) Korte (’76), MBA, CFP®, Financial Advisor,
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. “Why a Liberal Arts Education is
Vital in Today’s Workplace”



Accounting Alumni Panel- Ballroom A
Economics Alumni Panel- Arizona Room
Sport Management Speaker: Matthew Garrett, Ph,D., Loras
College, “Young Sport Management Graduates and their Career
Trajectories”- Ballroom B
Speaker: David Kordell (’91), President, River Vallley Capital Group
“Drive and Ambition: Entrepreneurship as the Road to Success ”


MIS Alumni Panel- Ballroom A
Management Alumni Panel- Ballroom B
Keynote Speaker: Anthony Reardon (’72), Chairman and CEO,
Ducommun Inc., “Leadership Development”
Focus on Catholic Social Teaching in Business Brings insight into moral questions that have been asked by business
leaders, through
Guest Speakers, Discussion
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is an important set of values for
students to understand at Loras. In the business division,
accounting students have participated in a case competition
centered around CST for a number of years. A benefactor
provided the resources this year for Loras to bring outside
speakers to campus to further communicate the importance of
CST in business.
presenting the teachings
of the Catholic Church as
they relate to business
and economics.
Abela’s research is
concentrated on the
integrity of the marketing
process, including
“Many times it is difficult for college students to see a
Dr. Abela with faculty from the Division of
marketing ethics, Catholic
connection between their daily job assignments and any
Business and Economics
societal contribution they hope to make. However, through the Social Doctrine, and
internal communication.
lens of Catholic Social Teaching, work is viewed as a gift from
God—a blessing—and we come to understand that by using
This year’s Business Week will kick off with Patrick Murphy,
our God-given talents we can contribute to making the world a Ph.D., professor of marketing in the Mendoza College of
better place,” said Doug Gambrall, Ed.D., associate professor of Business at the University of Notre Dame, presenting “The
business administration and chair, division of business and
Importance of Catholic Social Thought in Business.”
economics.
Murphy was a Fulbright Scholar at University College Cork in
Dr. Andrew Abela, dean of the School of Business & Economics Ireland and University of Lille 2 in France. He specializes in
at Catholic University of America, came to Loras College in April business and marketing ethics, and his award-winning work has
to speak about his newest book, “A Catechism for Business:
appeared in leading ethics and marketing journals. In 2011,
Tough Ethical Questions and Insights from Catholic Teaching,” Murphy received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the
which students had been reading and discussing.
Marketing and Society Special Interest Group of the American
Marketing Association.
The book’s focus is to provide guidelines, reflections, and
Spring 2015
Loras College Center for Business Analytics Hosts 3rd Symposium, Announces Partnership with Pella Corp.
With about 250 attendees, the 3rd annual Loras College Business Analytics
Symposium was dedicated to exploring the data journey an organization must
embark on to turn ideas into innovation and for analytics experts to share relevant
case studies, explore real problems, and discuss radical solutions.
The day kicked off with an executive breakfast where Matt Hart of BetterWorks
presented “Achieving Growth with Goals: The Journey to Achieving Operational
Excellence.” Following the executive session, the Symposium opened with Rich
Clayton (’87), vice president of the business analytics product group at Oracle
Corporation, and a morning keynote by Tim Suther (’82), managing director of JP
Morgan Chase, exploring business analytics and the opportunities it can afford you,
your company, and your world.
Loras College President Jim Collins (’84) and Pella Corporation CEO Pat Meyer announced a strategic partnership focused on
strengthening the connection between Pella’s business objectives and Loras’ academic programs in analytics. This new partnership
will explore how to use analytics better across a variety of scenarios including customer experience, product innovation, and
process efficiency at Pella Corporation. Loras College and Pella Corp. will work together to build awareness of the opportunities
analytics provides as well as educate Pella’s new and existing workforce on improved techniques in the field.
During lunch, two awards were presented to pillars in the business analytics community. The inaugural Loras College and Pella
Corporation Analytic Catalyst Award was presented to Bill Lynch (’64) — a pillar of support for the
business analytics community, seeing the opportunity business analytics provides companies to
propel efficiencies, develop people, and drive performance by fostering a curious culture focused
on asking the right questions.
In addition, UnityPoint Health was awarded the prestigious Loras College Business Analytics
Innovation Award for displaying the most innovative and effective use of business analytics
through its robust blood transfusion analytics solution that allows for the observation of systemwide trends to translate into data-driven actions to reduce monetary waste and patient risk and
conserve blood. Sponsored by TH Media, award submissions described the business analytics project, process or concept that was implemented by their company, and the tangible economic,
social, or environmental impact it demonstrated with a particular focus on impact, scope,
insights, maturity and, of course, innovation.
Following lunch and awards, symposium attendees benefitted from breakout sessions on topics such as the journey to exceptional
customer experience, creating value with information, the implementation of EPM for improved multi-business budgeting and
financial reporting, and the analytics CoE: positioning your business analytics program for success.
Finally, Betsy McVay, executive director of analytics at UnityPoint Health, concluded the afternoon by exploring her organization’s
business analytics journey and explaining why aligning with key strategies and mission is critical for the success of a highfunctioning analytics team. Highlights included research of best practices, roadmap development, prioritization, differentiators,
and challenges related to developing analytics capabilities for a multi-state integrated healthcare system.
The Loras College Center for Business Analytics is the region’s leading institution
focused on professional and organizational enhancement through the use of data
science and analytic techniques. The Center is designed to meet the continuing
education needs of today’s savvy professional looking to enhance their analytical skills
through an MBA in business analytics or a 10-week, online certificate program.
The next certificate class begins May 4, and the next entrance point for the MBA
program is Fall 2016.
Loras Means Business
Spring 2015
Faculty Focus: Bill Hitchcock
Professor of Computing/Information Technology Bill Hitchcock began working at Loras College
over 25 years ago.
Prior to Loras, Hitchcock worked at Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation in Madison, Wisconsin, as a
marketing systems programmer and earned his MBA in Finance, Investments, & Banking at UW
Madison. In 1989, he began teaching finance for Loras and later moved into teaching
management information systems coursework.
“The best part of teaching is getting to work with so many different people that all like to learn
something new,” he says. “Every semester is a new start, and it’s gratifying to see alums come
back to the school and share some of their successes.”
Hitchcock’s best memories during his time at Loras include serving as the study abroad director in Ireland in 2011, developing the
BUS 379: Rise and Fall of the Celtic Tiger class, and growing along with constantly-changing technology.
“Even though we are a small school, located in a small city, the Loras and Dubuque communities abound in opportunities for a
meaningful college experience,” says Hitchcock.
Tenure, Promotion and Faculty
Recognition within the Division of Business
and Economics
On March 12, 2015, a reception was held to honor faculty
for tenure, promotion, and as Loras College award
winners.
The Loras College Board of Regents ratified the
recommendation from the Rank and Tenure Committee,
the Provost and the President’s decision to grant tenure
to Anne C. Marx Scheuerell, Ed.D., who was also
promoted to associate professor of sport management.
The Mike and Linda Budde Award for Teaching Excellence
was given to Luke J. Lammer, assistant professor of
accounting.
This award is granted annually to the top assistant,
associate, or full professor who has taught at Loras fewer
than 11 years. It recognizes effectiveness in classroom
teaching, concern for the role of one’s discipline within a
Catholic liberal arts institution, and effectiveness in
creating an environment conducive to student learning.
Loras Business apparel is now available at the Loras
College Bookstore! Order your Loras Business t-shirts
or Loras Business Legacy Relaxed Twill Adjustable
Hat online today!
Are you LinkedIn?
If you are a member on LinkedIn, join the group Loras Means Business to share news with fellow Loras alums.
Loras Means Business
Spring 2015
Duhawk Spotlight
Tim Suther (’82), managing director of JP Morgan Chase, earned his bachelor’s degree in
finance from Loras College.
“I feel fortunate and blessed to have attended Loras. I met my future wife (Peg) and a host of
lifelong friends. The College helped me blend art and science into skills I leveraged to become,
among other things, president of a publicly-traded software company, board member of
various industry associations, and one of the top Chief Marketing Officers in the U.S.,” he said.
While a student, Suther was involved in intramurals, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Delta Epsilon
Sigma, and was president of the Intrafraternity Council on campus. He describes his Loras
experience as “a lot like the old TV show Cheers, where everyone knows your name. Your
academic life, intramural life, social life were constantly intersecting.”
Today, Suther lends his expertise to help Loras College with its Business Analytics program, which he describes as empowering
leaders for an increasingly data-oriented world.
2014-2015 Business Award winners
Marketing
Business Scholar
Amanda Elsen (’15) (Nekoosa, Wisconsin)
Dennis Benda
Business Award
Brett Graham (’16) (Dyersville, Iowa)
Management
Business Scholar
Andrew Ney (’14) (Peosta, Iowa)
Zachary Frey (’15) (Cascade, Iowa)
MIS Business Scholar
Kayla Ambrosy (’15) (Dubuque, Iowa)
S. Frank and Betty
Klauer Murray
Scholarships
Chelsea Myers (’15) (Dubuque, Iowa)
Felicia Fischer (‘15) (Sherrill, Iowa)
Paulina Le (‘16) (Sherrill, Iowa)
Jordan Stecklein (’15) (Dubuque, Iowa)
Thomas J. and Peggy
Gantz Junior Accounting
Award
McGladrey Excellence in
Accountancy Award
Iowa Society of CPAs
Award for Excellence in
Accounting
Prudential
Scholarship in
Business
Zachary Frey (’15) (Cascade, Iowa)
Lucas Jacque (’15) (Dyersville, Iowa)
Austin Kalmes (’15) (Bellevue, Iowa)
Samuel Koenig (’15) (Dubuque, Iowa)
Stephanie LaGrant (’16) (Delhi, Iowa)
Timothy Nass (’15) (Dubuque, Iowa)
Francis J. Noonan Award
Katherine Molony (‘15) (Bernard, Iowa)
Chelsea Myers (’15) (Dubuque, Iowa)
Amanda Elsen (’15) (Nekoosa, Wisconsin)
Lauren Gonner (’15) (Dubuque, Iowa)
Megan Kelchen (’15) (Cascade, Iowa)
Claira Sieverding (’15) (Bellevue, Iowa)
Rockwell Collins
Scholarship
Al Schram Sport
Management of the
Year
Sigma Beta Delta
Honor Society
Tyler Schaefer (’15) (Platteville, Wisconsin)
Arielle Swift (’16) (Dubuque, Iowa)
Finance Business Scholar
Seabelo Montwedi (’15) (Gabronne, Botswana)
Andrew Wampler (’15) (Slater, Iowa)
Arnie Honkamp Memorial
Scholarship for Accounting
Zachary Frey (’15) (Cascade, Iowa)
Katherine Molony (‘15) (Bernard, Iowa)
Seabelo Montwedi (’15) (Gabronne,
Botswana)
Regan Takes (’15) (Cascade, Iowa)
ICF-Ignite
Entrepreneurship
Scholarships
Mitch Einck
Scholarship
Megan Tews (’16) (Plainfield, Illinois)
Rev. Edmund Kurth
Memorial Scholarship in
Economics
Brett Graham (’16) (Dyersville, Iowa)
Jesse Hendrickson (’16) (Waverly, Iowa)
Dylan Humpal (’15) (Ridgeway, Iowa)
Dana Matykiewicz (’16) (West St. Paul,
Minnesota)
Gina Dacy (’15) (Rochester, Minnesota)
Mitch Johnson (’15) (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Catalina Medina (’16) (Bogota, Colombia)
Om Batish Memorial
Scholarship in
Economics
Ryan Sheeran (’15) (Chicago, Illinois)
Katherine Molony (‘15) (Bernard, Iowa)
Chelsea Myers (’15) (Dubuque, Iowa)
Loras Means Business
Spring 2015
Duhawk Club News
Sport management students
traveled to the Knoxville
Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa
recently to conduct focus
group research for Team
Haase Racing. Team Haase is
led by McKenna Haase,
arguably one of the most
successful teenage drivers in
the country, and sister to
Loras junior Media Studies
student Makaila Haase.
Juniors Andrew Wampler
(Slater, Iowa), Austin
Overmann (Davenport, Iowa),
Jo Jo Schmidt (Naperville,
Illinois), and senior Sam
Noble (Oregon, Illinois)
interviewed selected
members of Haase’s fan base
as part of a focus group. Fans
were selected as part of a
stratified sample of persons
who had responded to an
internet survey. The group
will provide a report
summary with information
about its fan base for Team
Haase Racing to share with
its sponsors.
The following students qualified for nationals in
the Business Club competitions, June 23-24 in
Chicago:
Contemporary Sports
Issues
Riley Till (’17)
(Bellevue, Iowa)
Matt Federspiel (’16)
(Peosta, Iowa)
Macroeconomics
Alex Timmerman (’17)
(Maquoketa, Iowa)
Microeconomics
Paulina Le (’16)
(Sherrill, Iowa)
Matt Federspiel
Cost Accounting
Morgan Dolan (’16)
(Dubuque, Iowa)
Entrepreneurial Concepts
Matt Lane (’15)
(Maquoketa, Iowa)
Marketing Concepts
Isaac Sturm (’16)
(Bellevue, Iowa)
Networking Concepts
Matt Lane
Personal Finance
Matt Lane
The AMA Marketing Club recently toured
Inspire Café in Dubuque. Sara Post,
owner and manager, shared information
on starting and marketing a new
business.
Senior marketing students give a formal presentation to local nonprofit group, Dubuque Millwork Collective.